Places to Visit in Kathmandu

Last updated on 05/02/2018 By Alyson Long2 Comments Any post on this site may contain affiliate links. If you use them, they cost you nothing extra. We make a small commission.

Without doubt, when you step off the plane into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu you know you’re in no other place. The smells, sounds and sights as you negotiate your way from the airport and into town immediately assault your senses. Many come to Nepal for the famous Himalayas and the trekking that they offer, but the chaotic capital has its own wonders. You could wander the streets of Kathmandu for days and never tire, but here are the most famous, most iconic, places to visit in Kathmandu.

Places to Visit in Kathmandu

The following places of interest and historic sites should give you plenty to do in Kathmandu.

Kathamandu ( Basantapur) Durbar Square

Of all the places to visit in Kathmandu, Patan Durbar Square is my favourite, stunning architecture, fairly intact and the site of animal sacrifice. Check out the buffalo entrails above the door , watchful eyes and guardian lions. This is where we met Prince Harry

Kathmandu Durbar square with its ancient Palace, temples and sadhus is a sight to behold, from the child goddess Kumari’s palace to the narrow winding streets of shop houses. Nothing beats wandering the streets and temples till it’s time to stop for a delicious local bite to eat in one of the many restaurants or street stalls. Make sure you go into the palace where the child goddess lives and wait for her to come to the window. A surreal experience for even the most well-traveled nomad. If you’re not content with Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square there are two other nearby durbar squares ( Patan and Bhaktapur) in which to soak up the history of this magical city.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, for Pinterest

Pashupatinath

The Pinterest pin that I published with a spelling mistake! It’s been pinned thousands of times, so it stays.

The temple complex of Pashupatinath, on the Bagmati River, with its monkeys, sadhus and regular worshipers is another icon of Kathmandu. Access to the temple itself is strictly reserved for Hindus only but the complex is open to all visitors for a fee. Pashupatinath comes alive during Shivaratri where Sadhus from across the subcontinent converge on the holy site and receive their followers. The burning ghats here are fascinating but confronting, if this is your first experience of death rights on the subcontinent.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath overlooks the sprawling Kathmandu Valley from high on a hill to the west of Kathmandu. The name means sublime trees in Tibetan. This temple is one of the oldest in Nepal and buildings on the site date back over 1500 years. The complex features a main Stupa with peaceful Buddha eyes and smaller temples that surround the stupa. There was extensive damage from the earthquake in 2015 but it has been almost repaired some 18 months later.

Boudhanath

The most important site for Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal this stupa, located 11km from the centre of Kathmandu, is in the northeastern corner. The structure is the largest spherical stupa in Nepal and is an imposing stupa in its own right. Surrounded by more than 50 Tibetan Gompas (monasteries) it has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. The location was picked as it lies on the ancient trade route between Tibet and Patan, thus bypassing Kathmandu city which was a later development.

The Boudhanath dome was severely damaged in the earthquake, when we were there in 2016 it was almost completely restored.

Thamel District

With its many trekking agencies, guest houses and shops full of trinkets and trekking equipment, this district has a buzz like no other. Eager trekkers haggle for the latest knock-off cold weather equipment before heading up into the high reaches of either the Annapurna or Everest regions. Just returned trekkers head into the numerous bars and restaurants to talk about there experiences up in the valleys and on the peaks. The vast multi-story corner shop that sells everything trekkers may need is constantly busy with people shopping for supplies before heading off. The sheer number of Mars Bars and Snickers sold here is mind-blowing, only matched by the price of one high up on the slopes. If people watching is your thing then this is the place to spend an afternoon overlooking the streets.

Resources

We would never leave home without travel insurance, in our first few months on the road my husband suddenly needed a surprise hernia repair on Ko Phangan. We wouldn’t be on the road now if we hadn’t had insurance to cover it. This picture, from that crazy airport in the Himalayas, what an adventure!

If you’re looking for places to visit in Nepal outside of Kathmandu, or if you’re thinking about trekking in the Himalayas, head back to our main Nepal Travel Guide page for more tips, information and ideas. Thanks for visiting, we have a passion for Nepal, tell us what your plans are in the comments below.

About Alyson Long

Alyson Long is the creator of World Travel Family travel blog. A lifetime of wanderlust and now over 5 years on the road, full time, has made her a travel expert. She is lover of mountains, cultures and ancient civilisations. Fanatical mum obsessed with her kids' education and happiness. Family travel, travel with kids, adventure travel, homeschooling and worldschooling enthusiast. Former medical scientist, now published writer, SEO ninja and webmaster. Very happy nomad so long as there is coffee.

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